Abstract

Jatropha multifida is used in African folk medicine for the treatment of infection, pain, fever, various inflammatory conditions, tumor and tumor related diseases. The present study investigated the phytochemical constituents of the powdered root bark using established standard procedures. The methanol root bark extract at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg was subjected to evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in experimental animal models. The anti-inflammatory activity was estimated by measuring the mean thickness in carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema in Wistar albino rats. The analgesic activity was assessed by acetic acid-induced writhing in Swiss albino mice. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and acetyl salicylic acid (100 mg/kg) were used as standards in the anti-inflammatory and analgesic assay respectively. Phytochemical investigations reveal the presence of alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, saponins and flavonoids. The extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.01) reduced paw thickness in rat compared to control. There was a dose dependent decrease in writhings which was significant (P < 0.05) at 400 mg/kg compared to control. The results therefore suggest that J. Multifida root bark has anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities which further substantiate its use in folk medicine.

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